The Beauty Within ("Malena" film review)

           

           Some stories show what they really want to show. Some stories don’t. The movie, “Malena,” is of a different kind. It looked like a story, within a story, within another story. So, what’s with “Malena?”

            In the movie “Malena,” if you don’t watch it detail by detail, it might appear that the whole story only revolves around Malena, and Renato, the boy who’s very obsessed with her. He always followed her and knew almost every detail in her life. He watched her mourn over her husband’s death, saw her taking care of his deaf father, and apart from that, knew that Malena was innocent of the women’s accusation of her being a woman who sleeps with every man in the town. He also witnessed her becoming a prostitute (because of hunger) and saw her suffer from public humiliation. But if you look closely, the movie was not only about them. It also revealed the political issues present not only in Sicily, Italy, but also, in the whole world. Malena is a victim of the abuses made by those who are in power and authority. She is a perfect picture of suffering. The Germans, the lawyer, and the other powerful men took advantage of her vulnerability. She had no other choice but to agree with them because she had nothing to financially support herself.

            The location where the film was taken was just right for the mood of the movie. The place looked dry and dark, an indication of melancholy. The dull colors added emotion and it was just appropriate for the time (World War II) in which the story took place. Obscene scenes were also carried out properly. Yes, it contained parts in which Malena or some other guy or girl is naked, but they were not that intense. There was still censorship, especially when the scene includes young actors, like Giuseppe Sulfaro (a.k.a. Renato). And besides, the film was not meant for young viewers; hence, obscenity is acceptable. I also appreciate the twists in the story, like the coming back of Niño Scordia, the thought-to-be deceased husband of Malena. It gave excitement and made the audience curious about what might happen next. The use of motifs was also effective. Two of the motifs I found in the story were the music, which was played every time Renato saw Malena; and the length of pants, which was one indication of manhood during that time. In addition, the musicality was superior. There was a good choice of music for each scene, depending on the mood.

            I also noticed some flaws in the film. The transition of scenes during the earlier parts of the film was not clear. You won’t know whether it’s present time or just a flashback. It was not also emphasized whether Malena’s husband was still living or was already dead in the very first part of the movie. I thought he was dead, but when the announcement of his death came only in the latter part, I felt like I was suddenly lost. But all these did not make it less of a movie. Still, the exquisiteness of the film is a way above its flaws.    

     

            Generally speaking, the film is great. It is worth watching if you’re looking for something unique and sensational.